Page 103 of Alessia
Are you almost ready sweetheart?” I yell down the hallway from the kitchen.
“Almost!” Harper yells back while she walks out of the bedroom in a silver sparkly ballgown, it’s only fitting for tonight’s event. The gown has a fitted bodice adorned with intricate silver beading and sequins that catch the light with every move she makes. The illusion neckline has a sheer overlay embellished with delicate crystal patterns. With the open style back, that stops just above her ass she shows off her gorgeous spear tattoo. She recently added a light pink rose to it, the petals darker on the inside, in memory of Anna.
Now that a few months have passed she has gained her weight back and the nightmares have all but stopped. Though sometimes she still wakes up screaming. She still goes to see the therapist on a bi-weekly basis.
“Where are you taking me? It isn’t our anniversary or anything!” She asks curiously while putting the last of her things in her purse.
“You’ll see when we get there! It’s a surprise for a reason you know!”
“Ugh… You know I hate surprises!” She walks past me towards the elevator and kisses me on the cheek.
We stop on the second floor where Lorenzo and Bella join us on the way down.
“My god, ladies, you both look amazing!” Lorenzo whistles.
Bella pulls us both into a hug like she hasn’t seen us in weeks.
“Do you know where we’re going?” Harper asks them.
“Yes, but we’re not telling you!” Lorenzo winks.
We arrive at the same place our lives changed forever, The Ebell, cars line the streets and I see some of the Dons and their families enter the building.
Nerves course through me, our world will change once more tonight. I’ve been working on it for months now and everything is finally falling into place, my engagement gift to Harper is ready to be shared with the world and the families.
As we walk up to the entrance cameras flicker and we stop to take our pictures. The flashes reflect on Harpers ballgown, making sure she’s the center of attention.
“Why are there reporters all over this place?” Harper whispers in my ear.
“Just wait my Tesoro, you’ll understand everything by the end of the night.”
The ballroom feels like stepping into a starry night brought to life. The vaulted ceiling is an ethereal canopy of shimmering lights, with tiny LED constellations and swirling galaxies projected onto a deep midnight-blue backdrop. A massive crystal chandelier, shaped like a burst of starlight, hangs at the center, refracting light into countless tiny rainbows that dance across the polished obsidian floors.
The walls are draped with velvet in shades of twilight, embroidered with delicate silver and gold thread that glints like the Milky Way.
Every detail evokes a celestial charm: tables are adorned with translucent centerpieces that resemble nebulae, glowing softly with hues of lavender, turquoise, and gold. Candles flicker from inside frosted globes, their gentle light casting constellations onto the surfaces they rest on.
Bella really outdid herself with the décor for tonight.
We take place at one of the tables with our names on it. A few of the Dons come up to us and we chat until everybody is seated.
I take a deep breath in to steady my nerves and stand from the table. Harper looks at me with questions written all over her face, those dark eyes of her shimmering like never before. I kiss her deeply and walk over to the stage for my speech. I fix my gaze on her, she is why we’re all gathered here, she’s the reason I wanted to change everything.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen and welcome. I stand in front of you a different woman then I was one year ago. A lot has changed in the past year. My soon to be wife was kidnapped from me from this very venue, somehow it did make sense to host this event here tonight. A full circle moment you might say.
Today, I stand before you, not only with immense pride but with profound admiration for one of the bravest souls I have ever known, my fiancée Harper. Her journey is one of unimaginable pain, unfathomable challenges, and yet, ultimately, boundless hope and resilience. Harper is the embodiment of strength, a reminder to us all that even in the darkest of times, light can be found.” I start, my eyes not wavering from hers for once second. She shakes her head with tears in her eyes and a smile from ear to ear on her face.
“Harper’s story is not an easy one to tell,” I continue.
“Nor is it easy to hear. She was forced to endure the nightmare of being kidnapped, the inhumanity of human trafficking, and the heavy weight of depression that followed. These were battles that could have crushed anyone. But Harper is not just anyone. She is extraordinary.”
Bella and Harper are both sobbing now, even Lorenzo and Elio are rubbing in their eyes. Bunch of softies, I wink at my gorgeous fiancée and continue my speech. The surprise is yet to come.
“Her story has inspired another change, one that I, Alessia, hold close to my heart. For generations, my family’s business has been a source of prosperity, but it has also been a reminder that with great resources comes great responsibility. Inspired by Harper’s courage, I have decided to set up an organization of which all resources and funds will go towards a mission that aligns with her strength and resilience.”
